Overview

South St. Paul to review District Start/End Times

At the School Board meeting on Feb. 12, the Board reviewed and approved a Guiding Change document to establish parameters for the review of students’ start and end times for the school day.

Over the next several months, the District will study the growing trends from across the country to our closest school district neighbors, who’ve made the change to later high school start times as a result of scientific research. With the study parameters set by the school board, listed below, a committee of various stakeholders will conduct this comprehensive study of current research review to determine the best fit for our students while supporting the work of our mission and vision.

Superintendent Dave Webb reiterated with the School Board, “the process is beginning with no preconceived notions of which timeframes would best accommodate the needs of our district’s students and families. All considerations will be reviewed by a committee, with feedback opportunities on the proposal from those impacted by the decision.”

The current times in South St. Paul Public Schools have secondary students starting earlier than elementary school students. As we continue to move through this study, we will summarize our research and work on the district’s School Start/End Time Review webpage.

The Guiding Change for School Start/End Time decision-making includes the following vision for the process beginning immediately:

An assistant principal from each site will be designated to represent each school in this process. These principals will form the core of a committee that will meet throughout the winter, spring and summer engaging staff and families, and community members in this process.

Following a comprehensive study of current research, best educational practice, and impacts on the following items, a decision will be made whether to adjust the start times for South St. Paul Public Schools: student well-being; before and after school activities; student safety; family needs for support should changes be made, ie., transportation, school age care; and staff schedules relative to bargaining agreements.

Recommendations will be brought to the School Board after a review by a committee of district stakeholders; widespread communications across the community (including a survey); and understanding the status of start/end times with high schools in the conference and across the metro area.